Miniature road builder



C- J. PROHASKA MINIATURE ROAD BUILDER Filed July 2, 1955 Feb. 14, 1956 Charles J. Pro/1 aska.

INVEN TOR.

WFW

MINIATURE ROAD BUELDER Charles J. Prohasira, Larlrsville, Pa.

Application July 2, 1953, Serial No. 365,621 1 Claim. (til. 222-176) This invention relates to the class of toys and more particularly to a device for enabling miniature roads to be built for Christmas decorations while being equally adaptable for use as a toy for children.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a miniature spreader for sand or the like so as to enable roads to be simulated in order to make more highly'attractive panoramic decorations for Christmas as are conventionally utilized to provide a Christmas tree decoration.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a toy road builder that is adapted to provide entertainment and amusement to children and which is especially adaptable for use as a beach toy.

The construction of this invention features the use of a pair of body sections which are detachably secured together and which have a slot in the rear thereof for dispensing white sand or the like to form a suitable strip which will simulate a highway or roadway in ornamental display. Inasmuch as this device is readily refillable and capable of being artistically ornamented while being very rugged, this toy is especially adapted for the rough handling to be expected from use as a plaything by children.

Still further objects and features of the invention reside in the provision of a miniature road builder that is strong and durable, simple in construction and manufacture, constructed from a minimum number of parts and out of any readily available material such as wood, paper board or like compositions, synthetic plastic resins, or any other suitable substance such as sheet metal.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the miniature road builder comprising the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the plan of line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the plan of line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the miniature road builder comprising the present invention; and,

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective detailed view illustrating the manner of sealing oi the discharge slot at the rear of the toy.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the Various views, reference numeral generally designates the miniature road builder comprising the present invention which includes a pair of body sections 12 and 14 detachably secured together. The body sections 12 and t4 include a pair of side plates 16 and 18 which have peripheral walls 2% and 22 preferably integrally formed therewith, the peripheral walls 20 and 22 elfectively forming the top, bottom, and end 2,734,664 Patented Feb. 14, 1956 portions of the miniature road builder 16. It is to be expressly noted that the peripheral wall 29 is of much greater dimensions that the peripheral wall 22 and the peripheral wall 20 is provided with an inwardly depressed flange 24 over which the peripheral wall 22 is adapted to be frictionally engaged to rockably hold the body section 14 in engagement on the body section 12.

The miniature road builder 10 is of substantially streamlined shape having an outward front portion 26 and a downwardly slanting top 28 terminating in a short end portion 30, the end potrion being provided with a slot 32 therethrough which slot extends through both peripheral walls 20 and 22 and the flange 24. The slot 32 is especial- 1y adapted for metering of white sand 34 contained within the body sections 12 and 14 when the device is used for decorative road building. It is to be noted that hearing blocks 36 and 38 are mounted on the bottom portion of the peripheral wall 12 while bearing blocks 48 and 42 are mounted on the bottom of the peripheral wall 22.

lournaled in the bearing blocks 36, 38, 40 and 42 are stub shafts 44, 46, 48, and 50 on which Wheels 52, 54, 56, and 58 are mounted, the Wheels 52, S4, 56 and 58 being of sufificient width so as to provide adequate support for the 'loaded miniature road builder. When not in use, a piece of adhesive-back tape 60 is secured over the slot 32 and may be provided with a tab 62 for enabling the ready removal of the tape 60. Then, moving the miniature road builder 10 along the ground, floor, or other surface on which the miniature road is to be built, the sand will discharge through the slot 32 in such manner as to form a simulated road.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A decorative toy and miniature road builder comprising a pair of body sections, each of said body sections including side pieces having peripheral walls extending thereabout, a first of said sections having an inwardly positioned peripheral flange secured to the peripheral wall thereof, the peripheral wall of the second of said sections frictionally engaging and overlying said flange, each of said body sections having front and rear Wheels rotatably secured thereto, and a discharge slot in the rear of said miniature road builder extending through the peripheral walls of said body sections and extending through said flange, said body sections being filled with sand, said discharge slot having a closure member positioned thereover and adhesively secured to said body sections, the peripheral wall of said first body section beingsubstantially greater in size than the peripheral wall of said second body section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 605,982 Diamond Oct. 17, 1893 1,572,141 Hildebrandt Feb. 9, 1926 1,849,159 Torrence Mar. 15, 1932 2,180,653 Yancy et a1 Nov. 21, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 930,827 France Feb. 5, 1948 

